Smokefree Advocates Applaud Keweenaw Community for Announcement of 100% Smokefree Transition

Marquette, MI — Last week, Ojibwa Casinos, owned by the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, announced that both its Michigan casino venues will transition to a 100% smokefree indoor policy. The change applies to the entirety of its Baraga and Marquette locations, including all restaurants and hotels — a move that Ojibwa Casinos says showcases its “dedication to the well-being of all who visit or work at the properties.”​

Clinton Isham, Tribal Relations Consultant for American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation, released the following statement:

“The Keweenaw Community’s decision to transition to smokefree casinos demonstrates its commitment to the health and safety of the Upper Michigan community. By becoming smokefree, Ojibwa Casinos joins more than 100 Tribal gaming facilities across the country that have prioritized the wellbeing of their patrons and employees over all else — a growing list of smokefree casinos that reflects the overall public desire for clean air. American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation applauds the Keweenaw Community for taking this important step and hopes that Ojibwa Casinos will stand as a powerful example of what is possible for all other gaming facilities.”

The smokefree policy at Ojibwa Casino Baraga and Marquette takes effect on March 24, 2025.

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About ANRF
American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation (ANRF) is a 501c3 non-profit educational and advocacy group that has been working for over 40 years to protect everyone’s right to breathe nontoxic air in workplaces and public places, from offices and airplanes to restaurants, bars, and casinos. ANRF has continuously shined a light on the tobacco industry’s interference with sound and life-saving public health measures and successfully protected 61% of the population with local or statewide smokefree workplace, restaurant, and bar laws. ANRF aims to close gaps in smokefree protections for workers in all workplaces, including bars, music venues, casinos, and hotels. For more information, please visit https://no-smoke.org/. ANRF projects include https://smokefreecasinos.org/ and https://smokefreemusiccities.org/